Tag: nature

Eco tours show off the best the world has to offer though adventure and education…

Today, you holiday goers want more than cocktails on the beach. You want to dive into local heritage, explore the regions natural beauty, and truly experience what a places has to offer. This shift has pushed travellers like you towards eco-tourism — a booming industry that celebrates local biodiversity, ecosystems and culture through education and exciting adventures.

In Australia, there’s no shortage of adventure or biodiversity — making it one of the planet’s top destination for travellers seeking epic, once-in-a-lifetime experiences that highlight ecological uniqueness.

In Australia, you can do just about everything — from Aboriginal tours to snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, swimming with whales, walking with the local wildlife at night, e-biking along the coast, catching a surf, and taking high-speed boat rides through pristine waters to remote beaches.

In fact, there’s so much to do in Australia, holiday goers from abroad couldn’t possibly do it all. So Aussies, take note. There’s plenty of ideas in here to help you plan your next adventure.

1. Paul’s ECO E-Bike Tours

Explore Western Australia in a whole new way with Paul’s ECO E-Bike Tours. The half-day Rottnest Island Guided Tour takes you along the bays, the Wadjemup Lighthouse, Military Barracks and the Village Centre all on electric bikes. The e-bikes make seeing the entire island fun and effortless — all you have to do is pedal to kick the e-motor into gear for your 40km ride. Epic views, lunch break and beach swims included!

Go off-roading with Pemberton Discovery Tours as you ride through the secluded Southern Forest National Parks most magnificent attractions — all while someone else drives. On the half-day tour, your guide will take you to the best spots such as visiting the old growth Karri Forest before climbing through the Yeagarup Dunes, the largest landlocked sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere — making it the perfect tour for a true experience of adventure. The four-wheel-drive adventure is a whole lot of fun and adventure, all from the comfort of a 4WD car driven by a local expert.

3. Baird Bay Ocean Eco Experience

As South Australia’s first and original sea lion and dolphin swim experience, the Baird Bay Ocean Eco Experience gets you up close to local sea lions bottlenose dolphins for an unforgettable experience. What makes this experience different is that these animals are out in the wild and untrained — meaning you’ll get an authentic experience and the chance to see these magnificent creates thriving in their natural habitat. The tour lasts anywhere between two and four hours, but we think the memories will last way longer than that.

4. Luridgii Tours

On this Aboriginal Eco-tour with Luridgi Tours you’ll start your day in the air in a private plane and end it with a sunset cruise of Lake Argyle. This adventure tour takes you back to the dreamtime — stories of the world, of its creation, and the beginning of knowledge — as it’s known to the Aboriginal Miriwung people. On this tour, you’ll follow the path of the Barramundi as your guide recounts the enchanting story, and along the way you’ll see Sandalwood plantations at Kingston’s Rest, the awesome Ragged Ranges, and of course the Argyle Diamond’s pit and mine site at Matso Range where the Jaliwang came to rest. The full-day tour of air, land and water will leave you wondering if it was a dream itself.

5. Mamu Tropical Skywalk

Ever dreamt of walking in the clouds? Well, the closest experience you can have to that is at the Mamu Tropical Skywalk at the Wooroonoon National Park. Up on the elevated walkways you can peer down over the rainforest canopy — hovering in the fog — looking out over panoramic views of the World Heritage rainforest landscapes and walking down close to the forest floor. But the views aren’t just epic, they’re responsible. The walkway allows visitors to get up close to the biodiverse rainforest filled with vast arrays of plants and animals — all without disturbing their complex ecosystem.

6. Tasman Venture

Type: Eco-Adventure, Ocean, Wildlife, Outdoor
Location: Hervey Bay, Australia
Seasonal Operating Dates: Peak is late December until late January, off-peak January to March
Website: www.tasmanventure.com.au
Rates: From $175

There are just some experiences that are once in a lifetime — getting to swim with humpback whales is one of them. The experts at Tasman Venture will take you on a full-day Remote Fraser Island Experience where you’ll soar along the coast spotting dolphins, swim with whale, and head in shore to explore the beaches and Wathumba Creek where you can snorkel with turtles. During the epic day-long tour they’ll also feed you breakfast and lunch, and you’ll get to enjoy guided tours and a plethora of water activities like kayaking and supping.

7. Magnetic Island Sea Kayaks

Sunsets, kayaks, wine — does it get better than that? The folks at Magnetic Island Sea Kayaks had the brilliant idea to combine their sunset kayak tour with an evening picnic to watch the local green sea turtles come into the bay while participants munch on snacks and sip wine. You’ll start the tour over at Horseshoe Bay — spotting marine life and birds along the way — and end on one of the islands most secluded islands to watch nature’s magic unfold before your eyes. Some of their other tours will take you over the world-famous coral of the Great Barrier Reef, or alongside the coast to spot giant clams and wallabies all from your kayak.

8. Red Cat Adventures

Red Cat Adventures wants to show off the best of the pristine Whitsundays — a world-class group of 74 tropical islands off the shore of Queensland and in the middle of the Great Barrier reef. On this all-inclusive island resort package, you get access to the private villa estate by night, and by day you’ll have full reign over the island to snorkel the reef, walk the white sand beaches, and sunbathe on some of the globe’s most treasured islands. If you’re short on time but still want to see all these islands have to offer, this is the best way to do it.

9. Oyster Farm Tours

Oyster lovers, rejoice! On this tour you’ll get to hunt, shuck and slurp as many oysters as you can handle. This unique experience, run by the experts over at Oyster Farm Tours, is the only one of its kind in the world to let visitors pick and eat their own fresh oysters. You’ll start out on a floating pontoon hunting the freshest oysters right out of the nutrient-rich bay and end the day floating in a haze of pure joy and relaxation. It’s truly a once in a lifetime experience, and a delicious one, too.

If you want to see all the see three of Australia’s best natural attractions — World Heritage Listed Fraser Island, the Great Barrier Reef off Lady Elliot Island, and humpback whales of Hervey Bay — this all-inclusive 5-day tour one of the best ways to do it. With the Emeraldene Inn & Eco-Lodge you’ll get to stay on Fraser island for two days and one night to explore the world’s largest sand island. Then, you’ll head to Elliot Island to explore the Great Barrier Reef for two days and one night. Finally, you’ll have 3 nights accommodation in Hervey Bay at their award-winning boutique eco-lodge. Warning: we can’t guarantee you’ll ever want to leave.

11. NSW Segway

No, this isn’t one of those city-segway tours. On this experience hosted by NSW Segway, you’ll hop aboard an off-road Segway to explore bush tracks, trails, and 80-year old vineyards — along the way spotting local kangaroos, wombats and echidnas. The views of the vineyards and looming mountains are breathtaking, and thanks to the Segways, you won’t be out of breath exploring all this region has to offer.

Explore all that sunny Byron Bay has to offer by gliding through the beaches and backcountry on a solar-powered bike. Besides being totally eco-friendly, these off the grid, bespoke vintage-style bikes look incredible, too. You’ll look hip and have fun cycling through little townlets or by organic producers — taking in views from the rainforest to farms and fishing villages. Sunshine Cycles bikes and self-guided tours help travelers avoid traffic and parking chaos as well as find secret spots inaccessible by cars. If you’re looking to cover a lot of ground but still stay active, this is one of the most ideal ways to explore the area.

13. Ecotreasures

There’s more to Sydney than the city, and the folks at Ecotreasures want to tell you all about it. On one of their tours, their experts will teach you about local conservation efforts and native wildlife all while raise environmental awareness during your coastal adventure. If you’re in Sydney, this tour is a must — as you’ll feel like your thousands of miles away while being just a short trip from the city center itself.

This isn’t just any 4WD tour — it’s the only 4WD Tour to take you on a bush, beach and dune tour to see the hidden secrets of Port Stephens that only the locals know. The fun, safe and hassle-free tour by 4WD Tours is paired with knowledgeable guides that will teach you everything you need to know as you drive by incredible landscapes of wildflowers, towering dunes, trees teaming with koalas, and shorelines speckled with whales. Ready to kick your holiday into gear?

Australia is home to some incredible wildlife, including the friendly, playful fur seals. On this walking tour with Seals by Sea Tours, you’ll get up close to hundreds of these adorable animals — and you’ll probably spot some dolphins, blue whales, killer whales, and penguins along the way, too. The tour takes place at Cape Bridgewater Beach, recently voted one of Australia’s Top 10 beaches, making it the ideal tour to kick-off a day of exploration in the area.

16. Wombat Discovery Tours

If you’re looking for an adventure, and to maybe step outside your comfort zone, the folks at Wombat Discovery Tours might have just what you’re looking for. They’re the only tour in Melbourne that is skilled and crazy enough to take people into the Wombat State Forest at night to find Australian native animals in the wild. It’s an awesome opportunity to see the continent’s wildlife up close, and in their natural habitat — especially because much of it is nocturnal.

17. Surf N’ Dirt Adventure Tours

Surf N’ Dirt Adventure Tours lives up to its name providing adventure-seeking holidayers the opportunity to explore the best of the Margaret River in a day by land and water. Over the course of the day, you’ll get the chance to explore two different national parks by both mountain biking and kayaking. You’ll also stop for a picnic in between and end the exciting day with a private wine tasting. In just one day, explorers will get to see everything from the tall Karri trees of Boranup Forest, to the serenity of the Blackwood River, and the remote white sand beaches lapped by the Indian Ocean.

18. Splendour Tailored Tours

The sunrise tour by Splendour Tailored Tours is well worth the early wake up call. Your local guide, award-winning photographer Rosie English, will show you the most photogenic spots while walking the shoreline during the early morning hours. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a photographer from the other side of the world, you’ll appreciate having a local show you the most beautiful vantage points and sharing her knowledge of photography and the area. Pink skies, cliffs, and empty beaches await.

Explore Australia’s varied landscape while biking through rolling hills, farmlands, a forest of giant Mountain Ash trees and rainforests with Otway e bikes. The electric powered bike will comfortably transport you across the beautiful terrain — it also helps that you’ll have local experts giving you a fun, personalised tour of the region. Two amazing coastal tours on the stunning Cape Otway and the most popular 9.5 km trip are yours to explore. This tour is for adventure seekers and those who want to get out into nature, but don’t want to do all the work. e bikes are the best, right?

20. Little Desert Nature Lodge

Want to wake up and have wildlife at your doorstep? Then a stay at the Little Desert Nature Lodge and wildlife preserve is probably right up your alley. The folks here are dedicated to preserving nature and educating their guests on conservation efforts, as well as the aboriginal culture. The lodge is also ideally located to local trails, the nearby national park, and their resident aboriginal guide can even take you on a nature tour of the desert. Your stay also literally keeps the place running — as all proceeds are directly donated to the wildlife conservation efforts in the Little Desert region.

They call this an eco-escape, but the folks at Naturewise Eco Escapes will be putting you to work — don’t worry though, this is important stuff. All participants who sign up for one of their week-long tours has the opportunity to help protect wildlife — like re-wild the desert in Little Desert National Park, conserve marine life in Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Land, or collect critical data on Australia’s only endemic turtle species at Eco Beach in the Kimberley. If you’re looking for a way to not only see some of Australia’s most magnificent landscapes, but give back to it too, you’re going to want to check out this tour.

22. Tweed Eco Cruises

From classic river cruising to the exclusive Pot to Plate Adventure, or exploring the ancestors of our land on the Joongurra Cruise, Tweed Eco Cruises showcases the best of Australia’s Green Cauldron. On any of the river cruises — that glide by 10 national parks — you’re bound to see ecological delights like rainforests, mangroves, and fertile lands all under the imposing gaze of Mt Warning. A second generation family owned and operated tour company, Tweed Eco Cruises know everything there is to know about this region.

24. Vision Walks

Night owls — we have the tour for you. On a night tour with Vision Walks, you’ll get to use military-grade night vision goggles to observe Australia’s nocturnal animals in their natural habitat without disturbing them with a torch. The tour is run out of Byron Bay — a world-renowned holiday spot famous for its beautiful beaches, llaid-backlifestyle and natural beauty. So why not keep the adventure going once the sun goes down? The folks at Vision Walks will even end the evening with a ‘nightcap’ of hot cocoa and stargazing.

Have you ever wanted to look an animal right in the eye? Swim with them? Share their habitat? The wildlife experts at WaterMaarq believe this kind of experience can be life-changing — and on any of their 2-hour tours off of Mornington Peninsula, you’ll be able to do just that. You’ll have the opportunity to not only see, but swim with Australian fur seals, dolphins and seadragons. The experts on board will help you not only gain the confidence to swim with these animals, but teach you everything they know along the way.

26. Drop Bear Adventures

While there are dozens of amazing Fraser Island tours to choose from, Drop Bear Adventures provides a fresh look at the world’s largest sand island. Instead of a relaxing beach day, you’ll have a personalised cultural tour of K’gari, which is owned and operated by the locals on Fraser Island. On the tour, you’ll learn about the island and the people in a fun, adventurous and educational way. Needless to say, you’ll also get to roam this incredible island filled with towering rainforests, stunning freshwater lakes, golden sand dunes and over 100 km of beaches in a totally-fun 4WD vehicle.

27. Great Ocean Road Surf Tours

If you came to Australia with the goal to surf, you’re going to want to check this out. Great Ocean Road Surf Tours will take you on a journey to find the best beaches and best waves on Great Ocean Road with the least crowds. During the day-long tour and instructional, you’ll learn to surf with a small friendly group and seasoned coaches. Want to extend the fun? They also run two to 5-day ‘Surf ‘n See Tours’ that take you to the best beaches and top sights along Great Ocean Road.

With tours limited to just 10 people, Live Ningaloo tours of the Ningaloo Reef are both intimate and authentic. Here, you’ll get the chance to snorkel and swim in this biodiverse water — home to the second largest number of species in the world — and famous its abundance of whale sharks, manta rays, dugongs, turtles, and humpbacks. The experienced crew at Live Ningaloo will take you to the best spots along the 300 km reef — getting you as close as possible to the teeming ecological wonder.

29. Ocean Rafting Whitsundays

If you want to tap into the wild side of the famous Whitsundays, you’ll want to hop on board with Ocean Rafting Whitsundays tours. Each ocean rafting tour includes an exhilarating ride to world famous Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, pristine snorkeling reefs and guided Whitsunday Island National Parks walks. Getting to all these amazing locations is the fun part — as you’ll do it on their super-fast inflatable vessels that offer a breathtaking ride. If you want to cover a lot of ground in one day and have a whole lot of fun while doing it, you’re going to want to try ocean rafting.

30. Ocean Safari Cape Tribulation

Snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef is a bucket list item for many. So when you find yourself in North Queensland, you can’t pass up the opportunity, or this tour. This half-day eco-tour by Ocean Safari Cape Tribulation will take you out to some of the most remote and pristine parts of the reef — Mackay and Undine — where you’ll swim with sea turtles, reefs of colourful coral, tropical fish, eagle rays, giant clams and starfish. The groups are capped at 25 people, too, so you’re always assured to be in an intimate setting. And when you’re exploring one of the most popular natural wonders of the world, that’s one of the best things you could ask for.

31. Cairns Tableland Tours

Get views otherwise only accessible by plane when riding the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway that provides panoramic views of Cairns and the Northern Beaches as it glides over the World Heritage Rainforest. Afterwards, you can hop off and check out the markets in the sleepy little village of Kuranda before heading to lunch in town with your guide at the award-winning Frog’s Restaurant. The eco-experience, run by the folks at Cairns Tableland Tours, also includes a fully escorted tour of the town, beach and rainforest on foot and from above.

About the Author: Rachel Gross

Rachel Gross is a nationally-recognized author, women’s voice advocate and proponent of self-improvement. Her work can be found in several niche-interest lifestyle publications, blogs and more. A life enthusiast and natural creative, Rachel is driven by the strength within each of us. She believes in the power of exploration, travel which excites, and a good cup of coffee.

Are looking to get your kids off their screens and into nature these school holidays? Here are my top 10 nature-based activities for kids around Byron Shire these school holidays. They are in no particular order, some cost money some are free, but they all give your kids an opportunity to explore nature.